When is reasonable date to ask for final guest RSVP?

[BlueMoonGirl]

Hi,

How many months before the wedding date should I ask my guests to provide final RSVPs for my wedding in Negril? In addition to budgeting for the cost of the wedding itself, my fiance and I are planning to pay for and arrange for airport transfers from/to Montego Bay airport and a private catamaran cruise for all our guests. I would like guests to RSVP 6 months before the wedding date, but I imagine that most people don't plan vacations that far in advance? Thanks for any help!

[MsClarke724]

We are asking 6 months in advance as well, but keeping in mind some may book later

[SeeFlowers]

I had a last minute wedding... and we're asking two months in advance and its a pain in the butt! Some people just don't know how to rsvp!

[zelda062]

I have the same issue.  My wedding coordinator is wanting final numbers and it is 2 months until the wedding and I can't get everyone to RSVP!

[skp1]

I just put my invitations in the mail today and asked for RSVPs 2 months prior to the wedding date.  I'm sure I'll still have to track some down.  Some people look at me like I'm crazy when I say I sent the invites but its much different planning a destination wedding.  There are so many personalized projects, that I will need to do during those last 2 months, I'd be afraid to have the cutoff any later.

[Miss Sunshyne]

We're doing RSVP 6 months in advance as well, I will harrass lol..... if I have some last minute yes, I will have back up for the OOT bags, place cards etc... so I won't order exact on items for the guest I'll leave some wiggle room, and when it comes to seating and stuff I'm sure that can be fixed up to the last minute (hopefully it doesn't come down to it)

[AfricanVenus]

This is so my struggle right now. I started planning since Sept. 2010 and asked for RSVPs by January. I had to call folks, and people keep middling and maybe-ing even still. My wedding is in June, and I seriously don't know if we're going to crack 20. It's frustrating, because we have to fill our room blocks or lose our money. Even with reasonable dates, people will still play around, so just midly to intensely harass and stalk until you get a good idea of numbers.

[CanadianLindsey]

We sent out invites 9 months before the wedding and asked for RSVP's and a deposit of $300 due back 7 months before the wedding(final payment was due 1month before wedding).  Most people have to book off work and arrange for saving money and dog/house sitters so 7 months seemed reasonable.  This time frame worked well for us and was required by our TA because of a group booking package. We still had some people not RSVP and had to call them but they were all not coming and just didn't bother to reply. 

[gingerpeach]

Our RSVP date is today 28th Feb and me and the fiance have taken the view that if you have not RSVP'd then you are not coming. Not chasing anyone since that is the point of RSVP's we are very prepared to tell anyone calling on Mar 1st that we cannot accommodate...  I am leaving that conversation for hubby not sure I can be cruel but he has a bee in his bonnet about the fact that people have not replied especially as its a destination wedding he is appalled at people lack of courtesy...

[JayKay]

We are asking people to RSVP by July and we aren't getting married until January, however, we need RSVPs that soon for our group booking.  We realize for some people its to soon and they will book later.  We included information with our Invitation that if you dont book by a certain date in July you will not receive the group booking rate so they are aware.  I guess it kind of also depends on your group, we are having mostly just close family and friends who we speak to often so it makes it a little easier.